DUBOIS – State Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey, and the House Majority
Policy Committee held the first in a series of public hearings
Tuesday in DuBois on a plan to extend health insurance to uninsured
adults in the state.
The members heard testimony from several doctors, a free-clinic
administrator and a constituent who has dealt with not being able
to get insurance.
One of the items discussed was the fact that a state indoor
smoking ban as been passed and takes effect Sept. 11. Dr. Mark
Piaso, orthopedic surgeon at DuBois Regional Medical Center and
former president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, felt that
cigarette taxes should be raised. That will work more effectively
than keeping smoking out of bars, he explained.
“Every other state has higher taxes,” Piaso said. “When you get
above a buck (in taxes), you cut down on teen smoking. Make it
unaffordable for kids.”
Calvin Johnson, M.D., secretary of the Pennsylvania Department
of Health, gave the following statistics for Elk County: 2,041
adults are uninsured; 10.8 percent of the county is uninsured; 266
people were on the adult Basic waiting list in January prior to an
enrollment offering; 244 people were still on the waiting list as
of July; and nine new people have been added to the waiting list
each month in 2008.
Sister Rita Kartavich, founder and board member of Free Medical
Clinic of DuBois, explained the clinic is run exclusively by
volunteer labor, with the exception of a few administrators who are
paid. They have asked some of the volunteer doctors to see their
diabetic patients in their offices. All tests and prescriptions are
taken care of by the free clinic.
“It has helped us tremendously,” she said. “It also lets us know
they are being taken care of.”
The clinic serves residents of Elk, Jefferson and Clearfield
counties.
Crystal Karenchak said she has Type-two diabetes, takes
medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and has a
history of heart disease and strokes in her family. She has been
unable to get insurance because her job is with a non-profit agency
that has only a few employees. She was also told by insurance
companies that she was denied coverage because of the medications
she has to take.
Rep. Todd Eachus, 116th District and chair of the Majority
Policy Committee, said they are working to make that illegal.
Pre-existing conditions may soon not be a reason to deny a person
insurance.
“You have your choice between taking care of your health or
paying your bills,” Karenchak said. “I don’t think I am alone in
that.”
She began to tear up when she explained that her son is in
college and she would like to see him graduate, but without access
to proper health care, that might not be possible. The Chronic Care
program saved her life, she believes.
“It was a terrible past two years,” she said. “I would not want
anyone to go through that.”
“Our health care system is a train wreck,” Surra said, summing
it up.
The hearing focused on a proposal known as Pennsylvania Access
to Basic Care – or PA ABC – that was drafted by House Democrats and
passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year. The state
Senate has not yet acted on it.
With the PA ABC program, the cost to provide the benefit is
approximately ,322 per person each month. Employers that meet the
eligibility requirements and choose to participate will pay
approximately ,161 per enrolled employee each month in the first
year.
Employees will pay the following premiums: nothing for those
with income no greater than 150 percent of the poverty level; ,40
for those with income between 150 percent to 175 percent of the
poverty level; ,50 for those with income between 175 percent and
200 percent; and adult with incomes greater than 200 percent may
purchase the benefits at the per-member month rate negotiated by
the state.
Enrollment is limited by available funding. Waiting lists will
be created if all funds are committed. The Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Programs will permit changes in eligibility if needed to
manage funding.
